Psalm
45 reminds me of the old expression, “There are two kinds of girls,
those you date and those you marry”. The concept is, most men want
to marry a girl that has not been promiscuous. Some of us were less
than chaste in our behavior before salvation. Spiritually, some of
us messed around a lot and maybe even felt like we were no longer the
“marrying kind” because of the mistakes we made. There can be an
unworthiness that people develop that can lead to settling for
something less, and that can damage every other relationship we have.
This psalm is subtitled “A
wedding song”.
I believe this psalm is a picture of Jesus the Lord and the Church,
preparing for the wedding feast. It begins by describing “Mr.
Right”, the groom. “You
are the most excellent of men… lips have been anointed with grace…
God has blessed you forever… sword upon your side… clothe
yourself with splendor and majesty“.
He is royalty, but that is not all. “Ride
forth victoriously in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness;
let your right hand display awesome deeds“.
This groom is a victor on the battlefield. If you have lost hope
for a future celebration, read on.
The
psalm next talks about the actual identity of this groom. He is not
just a good man, but He is God.
“Let
the nations fall beneath your feet….
Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever“.
And this is cool to notice, but this groom is beaming as He awaits
His betrothed.
“Your
God, has set You above Your companions by anointing You with the oil
of joy… at your right hand is the royal bride“.
Every wedding ceremony begins with the bride walking toward the
altar. All eyes are on her,
but next time, sneak a peek at the groom as he sees his beloved
walking toward him down the aisle! In the Jewish marriage, after
they were legally joined, the groom would go and prepare a place to
live before they were spiritually united. In John 14:3, Jesus
promised the church He would prepare a place, and then return for His
Betrothed. Until then, the church is to wait in anticipation of the
Groom’s return. “I
am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a
place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you
also may be where I am“.
Are you ready?
The
psalm finally turns to the soon to be bride. First a little
pre-marriage counseling, “Listen,
O daughter, consider and give ear: Forget your people and your
father’s house“.
Marriage creates an entirely new family unit, separate and distinct.
For it to flourish, it must become the new centerpiece of life. It
continues, “honor
him, for he is your lord“.
This has become controversial in our time as the roles of men and
women are intentionally confused. This has nothing to do with
ability or intelligence, this is about accountability. God holds the
man responsible for his family. Sadly, when men refuse to take the
role of leader women are forced to. Many women today are settling
for immature, irresponsible men, but that is not God’s best. The
psalm ends with the bride being presented to the groom. “All
glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven
with gold… she is led to the king… They are led in with joy and
gladness; they enter the palace of the king“.
Gold is a symbol of purity, but perhaps you do not consider yourself
pure. Is there hope for those of us that are stained with sin?
Here is the most fantastic news of all, Jesus came to heal and
cleans and make the unrighteous holy, and that means you and me!
Isaiah 1:18 says, “Though
your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow“.
The Bible teaches the Jesus Christ will one day return for His
betrothed to sweep her off her feet and take her to the eternal home.
We are made perfect through His blood and we have been presented to
Him as pure. When Jesus said “This
is my blood of the
covenant,
which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins”
he added. “I
will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day
when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom“.
He was referring to the marriage supper, the permanent joining of
the church to Christ. He will return for His betrothed, we are to
be faithful to His promise. The celebration is planned and you are
invited, will you attend?